Electric-fixture tripod-box.



No. 746,316. PATENTED DEC. 8, 1903. J. E. ERCANBRACK.

ELECTRIC FIXTURE TRIPOD BOX.

APPLIOAT I 0N FILED MAR. 23 1903.

N 0 MODEL.

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'Patented December 8, i903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN EDWARD ERCANBRACK, OF WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC-FIXTU RE TRIPOD-BOX.

SSPE(JI1 `I.'3A'.LIO1\I forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,316, dated December 8, 1903.

Application led March 23, 1903. Serial No. 149,103. (No model.) Y

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, JOHN EDWARD ERCAN- BRACK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Woodstock, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric- Fixture Tripod-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for attaching electric-light fixtures to walls and ceilings, and the particular device which forms the subject-matter of said invention, as hereinafter described in detail, consists of a metal box or socket which is adapted to be secured to a suitable wood backing and to be embedded in the plaster which constitutes the surface of the wall or ceiling from which the electric-light fixture is suspended or attached.

In placing electric-light fixtures as at present effected it is difficult to firmly and properly'connect the tripod, which forms the base of fixture, in a Workmanlike manner and requires more or less breaking of the plaster.

My invention (designated a tripod-box) is preferably applied by placing it in position before the walls are lathed and plastered and then plastering up to the walls of the box, with the lower edge of the latter flush with the adjacent surface of the wall. I have provided means for leveling or truing the tripod on the box, whereby the fixture will hang perfectly plumb from the ceiling or at right angles from a sidewall.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents my invention applied to a fixture and to a ceiling, a portion of the lath and plaster being removed to more clearly illustrate the attachment. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my tripod-box with a tripod attached thereto. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the same, and Fig. 5 shows one of the Washers used for leveling the tripod on the box.

The drawings in detail show a two-light fixture A suspended from a ceiling B, made up of laths b', secured to joist b2 and covered with plaster b3. Back of the lathing and extending between the joist is a wood strip or block b4, inserted to provide a suitable support for the fixture-attaching means C and D, to be described.

C is a cast-metal box, preferably of the triangular form shown and provided with central Walls c?, surrounding a central opening c', from which radiate three slots or channels c2, open at top and bottom and having side walls c4. The latter walls are formed with shoulders c5, which form bearings for the heads of the bolts d', which are used to secure the tripod D to the box.

The tripod Dis a form commonly used and consists of a casting having a central portion d2 internally threaded to receive the usual iron tubing or pipe (not shown) and provided with radial arms d3, having bolt-holes in their outer ends to receive the attaching-bolts d. The bolts are inserted in .the box with their heads, which are so proportioned that they cannot turn in the slots, resting on the shoulders c5 and their threaded ends projecting through the holes in the tripod-arms to receive the tightening-nuts d4. It will be apparent that by adjusting the bolts in their respective slots the position of the tripod may be shifted within the limits permitted by said slots, thus providing for the desired adjustment of the ixture connected with the tripod and also providing for tripods of different sizes or of more or less irregularity in shape. In order that the fixture maybe hung plumb Without reference to the slant of the base or backing to which the box may be secured, I provide a plurality of open Washers c, which are inserted between the lower edge of the tripod-box and the upper face of the tripod-arms, as many being used as may be required to bring the fixture to the correct level or adjustment. After the attaching means described are in place the wires my are passed through the usual insulating-sockets s, which are set into a suitable hole or holes cut in the wood block, the ends of the wires being then connected with the usual fixture-wires, which extend into the space covered by the usual canopy F in a manner well understood in the art. The-central opening or barrel portion of the tripod may be sufficiently large to receive two or more insulating-sockets, thus providing for all conditions likely to arise. While l have referred to the box as made of metal, it may be made of porcelain, if desired.

It will be apparent that my invention may IOO be adapted to different styles of tripods, may have more or less than three slots, and various modifications may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of my tripod-box without departing from its essential features and principles, and l 'therefore do not wish to be limited to the form herein shown and described; but

What l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. As a new article of manufacture, a box adapted to be secured to a Wall or ceiling, and having an opening for the passage of electric Wires, and having other openings adapted to receive a tripod or fixture-base.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a box adapted to be secured to a ceiling or Wall, having a central opening for the passage of electric wires, and having radial openings to receive a tripod or fixture-base of the character described.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a box adapted to be secured to a Wall or ceiling, havinga central opening to receive electric wires, and having other openings adapted to adjustably and detachably receive a tripod or iixture-base of the character described.

4. Means for attaching electric fixtures to ceilings or walls, consisting of a box adapted to be embedded in the plaster, having a central opening for the passage of electric wires, and having other openings around the central opening, tripod or iixture-base of the character described, and bolts adapted to secure the base to the box.

5. Means for attaching electric-light fixtures to ceilings or walls, consisting of a box having a central openiugto receive the electric wires and having bolt-receiving slots, a tripod or fixture-base adapted to be detachably secured to said box by bolts, and means for adjusting the level of said tripod or base relative to said box.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence oi' two witnesses.

JOHN EDWARD ERCANBRACK.

Witnesses:

A.. DWIGHT OsBoRN, PAUL WoosTER. 

